Method for producing multilayered coated substrate

Abstract

Printed and varnished surfaces are provided by depositing a base film or printing on a substrate and depositing, wet-on-wet, a protective varnish or top coat after which the multilayers are exposed to an energy source, preferably to electromagnetic radiation, to simultaneously cure the varnish and ink on said substrate.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for producing a multilayer coating which comprises: (1). applying as a first layer to a substrate a radiation-curable ink composition comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated material polymerizable to higher molecular weight and a photosensitizer which releases an active catalyst effective to initiate curing of said material upon exposure to radiation:   (2). without drying or actively effecting curing of said first layer, applying to said first layer a radiation-curable varnish composition comprising at least one epoxide material polymerizable to higher molecular weight and a photosensitizer which initiates curing of said material upon exposure to radiation; said first layer composition being devoid of components that act to substantially inhibit or retard the action of the catalyst precursor in said second layer; and   (3). exposing the coated substrate to irradiation to produce a hardened multilayered coated substrate.   
     
     
       2. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said first layer composition comprises an amine-free acrylic ink. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 2 in which said amine-free acrylic ink contains diethoxyacetophenone as the photosensitizer. 
     
     
       4. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said second layer composition comprises an epoxy varnish containing a bis(epoxycyloalkyl) ester. 
     
     
       5. A method as defined in claim 4 in which said epoxy varnish comprises radiation-sensitive material which decomposes, upon exposure to radiation, to release a Lewis Acid effective to initiate polymerization of the epoxide material. 
     
     
       6. A method as defined in claim 5 in which said material is an onium salt of a complex halogenide. 
     
     
       7. A method as defined in claim 6 in which said onium salt is an aromatic diazonium, iodonium or sulfonium salt of a complex halogenide. 
     
     
       8. A method as defined in claim 4 in which said epoxy varnish comprises a bis(perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl) methane salt as the photosensitizer. 
     
     
       9. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said substrate is metal, paper, glass or plastic. 
     
     
       10. A method as defined in claim 9 in which said substrate is a metal container. 
     
     
       11. A method for producing a printed and varnished substrate which comprises: (1). applying to a substrate a fluid, essentially solventless radiation-curable acrylic ink composition comprising at least one polymerizable material having ethylenic unsaturation and diethoxyacetophenone as a photosensitizer effective to initiate polymerization of said material upon exposure to radiation;   (2). applying to the wet ink a fluid, essentially solventless epoxy varnish comprising at least one polymerizable epoxide material and, as a photosensitizer effective to initiate polymerization of said epoxide material, an onium salt of a complex halogenide which decomposes to release a Lewis Acid upon exposure to radiation; said acrylic ink being devoid of components that substantially inhibit or retard the action of the photosensitizer in the epoxy varnish;   (3). exposing the printed, varnished substrate to irradiation to produce a hardened, abrasion-resistant printed and varnished substrate.   
     
     
       12. A method as defined in claim 11 in which said acrylic ink comprises a resin ester derived from the reaction of o-benzoyl benzoic acid and epoxidized linseed oil, an acrylated epoxy resin, pentaerythritol triacrylate, diethoxyacetophenone and a pigment. 
     
     
       13. A method as defined in claim 11 in which said epoxy varnish comprises a bis(epoxycycloalkyl) ester, a monoepoxide diluent and a diazonium salt of a complex halogenide. 
     
     
       14. A method as defined in claim 13 in which said substrate is a metal container. 
     
     
       15. A method for producing a printed and varnished substrate which comprises: (1). applying to the substrate a fluid, essentially solventless radiation-curable epoxy ink composition comprising at least one polymerizable liquid epoxide material and a photoinitiator effective to initiate polymerization of said material upon exposure to radiation;   (2). applying to the wet ink a fluid, essentially solventless radiation-curable acrylic varnish composition comprising at least one polymerizable material having ethylenic unsaturation and a photosensitizer effective to initiate polymerization of said material upon exposure to radiation; said acrylic varnish being devoid of components that act to substantially inhibit or retard the action of the photosensitizer in said epoxy ink layer; and   (3). exposing the coated substrate to irradiation to produce a hardened, printed and varnished substrate.